Welcome to our Cellar Stocker: Cult Wines Beyond Napa Edition!

Today we’re venturing far and wide to find some of the most prolific, uber-desirable cult California favorites from beyond Napa. We hunted down a fresh stockpile of more eye-popping, palate-crushing, vinous gems - from Sonoma to Paso Robles to Santa Barbara, and all the way to a Down Under detour (sort of, you’ll see).

Kosta Browne needs no introduction. For over a decade they’ve been the singular most wanted domestic Pinot producer. Winner of #1 Wine of the Year in 2011 from Wine Spectator. Countless huge scores. Even now their single-vineyard gems are hard to find - let alone at a discount!! Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate sums it up well: “While these are big, rich wines, they’re in no way over the top and the vast majority have classic, structured and age-worthy profiles. Other producers at this level are few and far between.

As Jeb Dunnuck calls ‘em: “distinctive, singular wines up there with the crème de la crème of the region.”

Like this 96-point Gap’s Crown Pinot. Pure sexiness - seductive and lush to a fault. We have but a few cases for some lucky Operatives who are fast enough.

Ready, set, GO!

96 Points – James Suckling

“Lively aromas of blue and ripe red fruit, plums and toasted rosemary. Full-bodied and so expansive on the palate. Well-integrated tannins carry plenty of flavor with so much depth and steady intensity. Well balanced and remaining fresh, despite the lush fruit. Delicious. Drinkable now, but best after 2023.”